An amphibian toy

ABSTRACT

A toy for use in water and on solid surfaces having a casing formed in the shape of some amphibious animal, and a working unit removably installed therein. The casing includes a pair of rudders, shaped for instance like the wings of a penguin, and a water tank which, when containing water, enables the toy to swim underwater. The working unit contains a switch mechanism, which can be operated by means of a lever extending through the casing, electric cells, a motor, transmission gears and the like. The motor rotation is conveyed to a pair of flat-shaped foot members through gearing and shafting. These foot members can be slid along the arched bottom of the working unit and fixed at different positions, so that the toy is capable of making variety of motions in water besides walking on solid surfaces.

limited States Patent 1 ammo [72] Inventor Arimura Mashahiro Tokyo,Japan [2]] Appl. No. 86,898 [22] Filed Nov. 4, 11970 [45] Patented Dec.21,1971 [73] Assignee Gakken Co., Ltd.

Tokyo, Japan [32] Priority Mar. 7, 1970 [33] Japan [31 45/2 2255 [54]AMPHIBIAN TOY 10 Claims, 13 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 46/247, 46/92 [51] Int. Cl A63h 33/26, A63h 23/ 1 0 [50]Field of Search 46/91, 92, 247, 1 19, 120

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,434,234 3/1969 Watts et al46/92 3,464,154 9/1969 DiLeva 3,538,639 10/1970 Tomaro ABSTRACT: A toyfor use in water and on solid surfaces having a casing formed in theshape of some amphibious animal, and a working unit removably installedtherein. The casing includes a pair of rudders, shaped for instance likethe wings of a penguin, and a water tank which, when containing water,enables the toy to swim underwater. The working unit contains a switchmechanism, which can be operated by means ofa lever extending throughthe casing, electric cells, a motor, transmission gears and the like.The motor rotation is conveyed to a pair of flat-shaped foot membersthrough gearing and shafting. These foot members can be slid along thearched bottom of the working unit and fixed at different positions, sothat the toy is capable of making variety of motions in water besideswalking on solid surfaces.

PATENTEU nEczl l97l I sum 1 BF 3 INVENTOR MASHAH/RO AR/NURA ATTORNEYPATENTEB 05x21 :97:

SHEET 2 BF 3 PATENTED nzczr an 3628286 SHEET 3 BF 3 AN AMPIIIBIAN TOYThis invention relates generally to toys, and more particularly toself-moving toys which represent, both in appearance and in some mannersof action, penguins, ducks and other more or less amphibious animals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a toy having acasing formed in the shape of an animal, and a watertight working unitremovably installed in the casing and having a semicircularly shapedbottom on which are formed a plurality of ridges at constantcircumferential intervals. A motor is installed in the working unittogether with electric cells. A drive shaft is geared to the motor andprojects out of both sides of the working unit near the bottom thereof.A pair of crankshafts are coupled to the drive shaft at both endsthereof. A pair of plate members are pivoted by the drive shaft and havea shaft connected therebetween. The shaft is revolvable around the driveshaft in agreement with the arched bottom of the working unit and isfixedly stopped at any circumferential position thereof by means of theridges. A pair of flat foot members through which a pin runs through theshaft are loosely inserted and are moved by means of the crankshafts.

The present invention provides a toy of infinite amusement, designedespecially for the playtime use of children.

The invention provides a toy capable of moving both in water and onsolid surfaces.

The invention provides a toy in the shape of a penguin and the like,complete with webbed feet by means of which it is capable of bothswimming in water and walking on solid surfaces.

An object of the invention is to provide a toy whose webbed feet can beset at such angles that it is capable of swimming with its head eitherabove or below the water surface.

The invention provides a toy having a built-in water tank so that it iscapable of swimming submerged at different depths according to theamount of water contained therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide a toy having a pair ofrudders, shaped for instance like the wings of a penguin, whereby it iscapable of swimming in any desired direction.

The invention provides a toy consisting essentially of a casing formedin the shape of a penguin and the like, and an in tegral working unitinstalled therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide a toy wherein theworking unit contains a switch mechanism, electric cells, a motor,transmission gears and the like and is easily removable from the casingfor replacement of the cells and other purposes.

The invention provides a toy wherein the switch mechanism has anelongated lever extending from the working unit through the casing, sothat the switch mechanism is operable from outside by means of thatlever.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a toy whichrequires comparatively simple manipulations to realize all the abovedescribed movements, activities or functions.

In one embodiment, the toy of the present invention consists essentiallyof a casing, formed in the shape of a penguin and the like, and aworking unit installed therein. The casing is provided with a water tankon its inside surface, the water tank having a plughole through whichwater is poured into it and is discharged therefrom. The working unit,shaped so as to be installed in the casing, includes a detachable headportion containing a switch mechanism, an intermediate portioncontaining electric cells and a motor, and a lower portion containingtransmission gears and the like. A pair of flat foot members, shaped forinstance like the webbed feet of aquatic birds, are connected to thelower portion. Each of these foot members has its heel'side end looselyengaged with a crankshaft coupled to the drive shaft extending throughthe lower portion of the working unit, and the both foot members arepivoted in the middle by one and the same pin. Hence, with the turns ofthe crankshafts, the foot members swing to and fro on the other side ofthe pin. This pin, extending outside the working unit across the archedbottom thereof, is shiftable along the arched bottom so that the footmembers can be set at different angles with respect to the toy bodyproper.

The motor built in the working unit can be set in rotation by means of aswitch lever extending out of the casing from the head of the unit,whereupon the foot members exposed from below the casing will startmoving in a fluttering manner like those of the penguin.

In water, the toy swims on the surface when the water tank is vacant andwhen the foot members are set substantially in parallel with the watersurface. As water is poured into the tank, and when the foot members areset differently, the toy will submerge head foremost. It is alsopossible to let it swim with its bottom up, by setting the foot memberssubstantially at right angles with the water surface. Naturally, theswimming speed of the toy varies depending upon the angles at which thefoot members are set.

Further, in such use of the toy in water, the aforesaid rudders may beturned by hand, thereby causing the toy to change its course or to turnaround because of the varied resistances offered to the water by therudders.

There are still further interesting performances to be made by the toyof the present invention, if one makes use of the mentioned water tankbuilt in.it. The toy is so designed as to float only half immersed inwater when the tank is vacant, and to submerge deeper along withincrease in the amount of water contained therein. The depth of thesubmergence can thus be determined in accordance with the amount ofwater poured into the tank. The combined utilization of this water tankand the above described rudders will enable the toy to graduallysubmerge itself from the surface or to come floating up from deep downin water. These performances or movements will become more complex andinteresting when further combined with those obtained by the aboveexplained adjustment of the foot members at different angles.

For use of the present toy on solid surfaces, its feet may be set flatthereon while the toy itself is kept standing upright. It will then makea walk like that of a penguin, in tottering steps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of a toyconstructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinventron.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the casing of the toy of FIG. 1,in which the dots and dashes indicate the working unit of the toy.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the same toy taken along the planeofline X-X in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the working unit with all itsattachments.

FIG. 5 is a partially broken away side elevational view of the sameworking unit.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the same working unit takenalong the plane ofline Y-Y in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the same working unitcorresponding to FIG. 6.

FIG. 8A is a side elevational view of FIG. 7.

FIG. 8B is a corresponding side elevational view showing another exampleof the arched bottom of the working unit.

FIGS. 9C, 9D, 9E and 9F are all explanatory views showing theperformances of the toy in water: it swims on the surface in FIG. 9C;swims with its head down in water due to the changed angle of the footmembers in FIG. 9D; is submerged completely due to the presence of waterin its tank in FIG. 9E;

and has its winglike rudders set at different angles for change indirection in FIG. 9F.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTIONReferring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows in perspective the entireappearance of the toy of the present invention, shown here in the shapeof a penguin by way of example. The toy can be shaped like many otheranimals, such as ducks and other aquatic birds having webbed feet, whichare familiar to children.

Most broadly, the toy consists of a casing and a working unit installedin it.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the casing of molded plastic has a hole11 opened at its foremost end which is shaped like the bill of thepenguin. The bottom of the casing 10 is wide open. Inside the casing 10,a water tank 13 is formed at the back by partition means 12, and thewater tank 13 has a port 14 opened through the back of the casing 10.The port 14 is detachably attached with a plug 15. This plug 15 can beof any type, but in this particular embodiment of the invention, it isalways energized outwardly by means of a spring 16, so that the port 14will open upon depression of the plug 15. Also inside the casing 10, twopairs of ribs 17 and 17, 18 and 18 are formed longitudinally on itsfront and back sides, among which the working unit still to be describedis to be installed. Hence, the intervals between the ribs 17 and 17' andbetween the ribs 17 and 18 have to be determined in accordance with thesize of the working unit. There is provided an engaging projection 19 atthe front lowermost edge of the casing 10 and between the extensions ofthe ribs 17 and 17', thereby to immovably hold the working unit byengaging a projection formed at the front lowermost edge thereof.Rudders 20 and 21 in the shape of the wings of the penguin are pivotedon both sides of the casing 10. While these rudders 20 and 21 can beturned by hand, it is necessary that they be pivoted somewhat securelysince they have to offer constant resistances to the water as the toypropels itself therein.

The entire working unit 22 isillustrated in perspective in FIG. 4 and inpartially broken away vertical section in FIG. 5. The working unit 22consists essentially of l a head portion 23 containing a switchmechanism, (2) an intermediate cylindrical portion 25 containingelectric cells 27 and a motor 28, and (3) a lower portion 31 containinggears and the like for the transmission of the motor rotation. A lever24 for the operation of the switch mechanism contained in the headportion 23 extends out of the head 23 and is to be pulled or pushed forswitching operation. This head portion 23, placed on top of the open endof the intermediate cylindrical portion 25, is ordinarily securedthereto by means of a revolvable clamp 26 connected at both ends to bothsides of the intermediate portion 25, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The interior of the intermediate portion 25 is divided into twocompartments, the upper compartment containing the easily removableelectric cells 27 and the lower compartment containing the motor 28.These electric cells 27, inserted therein in the opposite directionswith respect to each other, are respectively in contact with theterminals of the motor 28 and the switch terminals exposed at the bottomof the head portion 23.

An output shaft 29 of the motor 28 extends down into the lower portion31, and a pinion 30 is secured at the lowermost end of the output shaft29. The pinion 30 is in mesh with a crown gear 33 secured to anintermediate shaft 32 extending across the substantially flat-shapedlower portion 31. A pinion 34, secured to the intermediate shaft 32, isin mesh with a gear 36 secured to a drive shaft extending below theintermediate shaft 32 in parallel therewith. Both ends of this driveshaft 35 protrudes out of the lower portion 31, and crankshafts 37 and38 are secured to the ends of the drive shaft 35 with their webs in 180or so different directions.

The bottom of the lower portion 31 is shaped semicircularly, with thecenter of the incomplete circle located at the drive shaft 35 (refer toFIGS. 5 and 8A), and a plurality of transverse ridges are formed on thisarched bottom 39 at constant circumferential intervals and in parallelwith each other. A stopper 41 is provided at the rearward termination ofthe ridges 40, whereas an engaging projection 42 is formed on the frontside of the lower portion 31. Since these ridges 40 are for holding abearing 45 in between, they may be replaced by grooves 40 as illustratedin FIG. 8B.

A pair of plate members 43 and 44 are respectively provided between bothsides of the lower portion 31 and the crankshafts 37 and 38 at both endsof the drive shaft 35. Each of these plate members 43 and 44 has one ofits ends connected to the drive shaft 35 and the other end to thebearing 45 running across the arched bottom 39. Hence the bearing 45 ismade movable along the arched bottom 39 around the drive shaft 35, to bestopped anywhere thereon by means of the ridges 40. A pin 46 is insertedinto the bearing 45, and a pair of webbed foot members 47 and 48 arepivoted at both ends of the pin 46 projecting out of both ends of thebearing 45. Each of these foot members 47 and 48 consists of a webbedfoot portion 49, including a downwardly projecting heel, and a leverportion 50, with the pin 46 running therethrough between the twoportions. The aforementioned crankshafts 37 and 38 are inserted intoelongated holes 51 formed in the lever portions 50.

The working unit 22 described in the foregoing is constructedwatertight, especially at the head portion 23 containing the switchmechanism, between the head portion 23 and the intermediate cylindricalportion 25, and at the portion 25 containing the electric cells andmotor. I

For installation of this working unit 22 in the casing 10, the unit 22is inserted with its head foremost into the casing 10 in such a mannerthat the unit 22 is held securely among the ribs 17, 17 and 18, 18', andthat the projection 19 of the casing 10 engages the correspondingprojection 42 of the unit 22. During the insertion, a slight turn ineither direction should be given the unit 22 to let it pass clear of theprojection 19 of the casing 10; both projections 19 and 42 will come inproper engagement by turning the unit 22 in the opposite direction whenit is fully inserted.

The switch operating lever 24 is led out of the hole 11 of the casing10, like the tongue of the penguin. With the casing 10 and the workingunit 22 thus combined, the present penguinshaped toy is completed.

Removal of the working unit 22 out of the casing 11 is usually necessaryonly for the replacement of the electric cells, which operation can beaccomplished simply by turning the clamp 26 off the head portion 23 anddetaching the head from the rest of the unit 22.

In use, the motor circuit is closed by means of the switch operatinglever 24, and the rotation of the motor 28 is transmitted to thecrankshafts 37 and 38, which then move the foot members 47 and 48. Sincethese webbed foot members 47 and 48 are pivoted in their middle by meansof the pin 46, their webbed foot portions 49 start moving as if thepenguin flutters its legs.

Placed in water, the toy swims with its head above the water surface(refer to FIG. 9C) when the foot members 47 and 48 are set substantiallyin parallel with the water surface. It will swim with its head below thewater surface by turning the foot members toward the front of the toy(refer to FIG. 9D), and the swimming speed will vary according to thedegree the members are turned. The toy shown in FIG. 9B is submerged dueto the weight of water poured into the tank 13, the depth of thesubmergence being determined according to the amount of water containedtherein. The swimming direction of the toy can be changed at will byturning the rudders 20 and 21. When, for instance, the left-hand rudder20 is set at right angles with the swimming direction of the toy asillustrated in FIG. 9F, it will swim in a counterclockwise turn due tothe increased resistance offered to the water by that left-hand rudder.These rudders can of course be used to let the toy submerge or surfaceat higher speed.

The pin 46 is movable along the arched bottom of the working unit 22,since it is made capable of so turning round by means of the platemembers that are revolvable around the drive shaft 35. Hence the bearing45 can be fixed between any two neighboring ridges (refer to FIG. 8A),or in any one groove (refer to FIG. 3B), of the arched bottom.

Thus, with adequate use of the foot members, rudders and water tank, thetoy of the present invention makes varieties of very interestingperformances in water. It is also possible, simply by setting the footmembers at right angles with the axis of the working unit, to let thetoy walk on solid surfaces in a wobbling gait of the penguin.

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described in the foregoing, it will be obvious that a great manymodifications thereof are possible. For instance, the casing may beshaped like a duck and many other animals in addition to the penguinemployed for the illustration and description of the invention above.The invention, therefore, is not intended to be restricted to the exactshowing of the drawings and the description thereof, but is consideredto include reasonable and obvious equivalents.

lclaim:

l A toy comprising, in combination:

a casing formed in the shape of an animal;

a watertight working unit removably installed in said casing and havinga semicircularly shaped bottom on which are formed a plurality of ridgesat constant circumferential intervals;

an electric motor connected to electric cells installed in said workingunit;

a drive shaft geared to said motor and projecting out of both sides ofsaid working unit near the bottom thereof;

a pair of crankshafts coupled to said drive shaft at both ends thereof;

a pair of plate members pivoted by said drive shaft and having a shaftconnected therebetween, said shaft being revolvable around said driveshaft in agreement with said arched bottom of said working unit andbeing fixedly stopped at any circumferential position thereof by meansof said ridges; and

a pair of flat foot members through which a pin running through saidshaft is loosely inserted and which are moved by means ofsaidcrankshafts.

2. A toy as claimed in claim 1, in which said working unit includes adetachable head portion containing a switch mechanism, said head portionbeing detached usually for replacement of the electric cells'containedin the rest of the working unit.

3. A toy as claimed in claim 2, in which said head portion includes anelongated switch operating lever which extends through said casing, sothat said switch mechanism is operable from outside.

l. A toy as claimed in claim 3, in which the leading end of said switchoperating lever protrudes like a tongue through an opening formed at themouth portion of the animal-shaped casing.

5. A toy as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pair of revolvablerudders on both sides of said casing, said rudders being shaped like theforelegs or wings of the animal in the shape of which said casing isformed.

6. A toy as claimed in claim ll, in which a water tank is formed insidesaid casing, said tank having a plugged hole opened through the casing.

7. A toy as claimed in claim 1, in which the webs of said crankshaftsrun substantially in opposite directions, so that said foot members makeswinging movements in an alternating manner.

8. A toy as claimed in claim l, in which said foot members includedownwardly extending heel portions which enable said toy to walk onsolid surfaces.

9. A toy as claimed in claim 1, in which a plurality of grooves areformed on the semicircularly shaped bottom of said working unit insteadof said ridges.

W. A toy characterized substantially in accordance with claim 1, whereinsaid casing is formed in the shape of a pen-

1. A toy comprising, in combination: a casing formed in the shape of ananimal; a watertight working unit removably installed in said casing andhaving a semicircularly shaped bottom on which are formed a plurality ofridges at constant circumferential intervals; an electric motorconnected to electric cells installed in said working unit; a driveshaft geared to said motor and projecting out of both sides of saidworking unit near the bottom thereof; a pair of crankshafts coupled tosaid drive shaft at both ends thereof; a pair of plate members pivotedby said drive shaft and having a shaft connected therebetween, saidshaft being revolvable around said drive shaft in agreement with saidarched bottom of said working unit and being fixedly stopped at anycircumferential position thereof by means of said ridges; and a pair offlat foot members through which a pin running through said shaft isloosely inserted and which are moved by means of said crankshafts.
 2. Atoy as claimed in claim 1, in which said working unit includes adetachable head portion containing a switch mechanism, said head portionbeing detached usually for replacement of the electric cells containedin the rest of the working unit.
 3. A toy as claimed in claim 2, inwhich said head portion includes an elongated switch operating leverwhich extends through said casing, so that said switch mechanism isoperable from outside.
 4. A toy as claimed in claim 3, in which theleaDing end of said switch operating lever protrudes like a tonguethrough an opening formed at the mouth portion of the animal-shapedcasing.
 5. A toy as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pair ofrevolvable rudders on both sides of said casing, said rudders beingshaped like the forelegs or wings of the animal in the shape of whichsaid casing is formed.
 6. A toy as claimed in claim 1, in which a watertank is formed inside said casing, said tank having a plugged holeopened through the casing.
 7. A toy as claimed in claim 1, in which thewebs of said crankshafts run substantially in 180* opposite directions,so that said foot members make swinging movements in an alternatingmanner.
 8. A toy as claimed in claim 1, in which said foot membersinclude downwardly extending heel portions which enable said toy to walkon solid surfaces.
 9. A toy as claimed in claim 1, in which a pluralityof grooves are formed on the semicircularly shaped bottom of saidworking unit instead of said ridges.
 10. A toy characterizedsubstantially in accordance with claim 1, wherein said casing is formedin the shape of a penguin.